'\"
'\" Copyright (c) 1993-1998  Lucent Technologies, Inc.
'\"
'\" See the file "license.terms" for information on usage and redistribution
'\" of this file, and for a DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES.
'\"
'\" RCS: $Id: delete.n 144 2003-02-05 10:56:26Z mdejong $
'\"
.so man.macros
.TH delete n 3.0 itcl "[incr\ Tcl]"
.BS
'\" Note:  do not modify the .SH NAME line immediately below!
.SH NAME
delete \- delete things in the interpreter
.SH SYNOPSIS
\fBdelete \fIoption\fR ?\fIarg arg ...\fR?
.BE

.SH DESCRIPTION
.PP
The \fBdelete\fR command is used to delete things in the interpreter.
It is implemented as an ensemble, so extensions can add their own
options and extend the behavior of this command.  By default, the
\fBdelete\fR command handles the destruction of namespaces.
.PP
The \fIoption\fR argument determines what action is carried out
by the command.  The legal \fIoptions\fR (which may be abbreviated)
are:
.TP
\fBdelete class \fIname\fR ?\fIname...\fR?
Deletes one or more \fB[incr\ Tcl]\fR classes called \fIname\fR.
This deletes all objects in the class, and all derived classes
as well.
.sp
If an error is encountered while destructing an object, it will
prevent the destruction of the class and any remaining objects.
To destroy the entire class without regard for errors, use the
"\fBdelete namespace\fR" command.
.TP
\fBdelete object \fIname\fR ?\fIname...\fR?
Deletes one or more \fB[incr\ Tcl]\fR objects called \fIname\fR.
An object is deleted by invoking all destructors in its class
hierarchy, in order from most- to least-specific.  If all destructors
are successful, data associated with the object is deleted and
the \fIname\fR is removed as a command from the interpreter.
.sp
If the access command for an object resides in another namespace,
then its qualified name can be used:
.CS
delete object foo::bar::x
.CE
If an error is encountered while destructing an object, the
\fBdelete\fR command is aborted and the object remains alive.
To destroy an object without regard for errors, use the
"\fBrename\fR" command to destroy the object access command.
.TP
\fBdelete namespace \fIname\fR ?\fIname...\fR?
Deletes one or more namespaces called \fIname\fR.  This deletes
all commands and variables in the namespace, and deletes all
child namespaces as well.  When a namespace is deleted, it is
automatically removed from the import lists of all other namespaces.

.SH KEYWORDS
namespace, proc, variable, ensemble
